The situation is so grave that many low-income families have no choice but to spend upwards of 10 percent of their incomes on bottled water, because drinking from a contaminated source can lead to cancer, thyroid problems and other serious health issues. Others resort to imbibing sweetened beverages, which are safe for consumption, but are loaded with sugar, which is of particular concern in California where the diabetes rate has increased by 35 percent in the last decade.

The unit will help them apply for state and federal funds to clean up their drinking water and provide improved access to treatment technologies, according to a statement released by Senator Kevin de Leon (D-Calif.).

The group will also help these communities better allocate funds for water systems upgrades and prevent local rate increases.

A number of nonprofit groups are working to provide immediate on-the-ground solutions.

Aqua4All, which launched in conjunction with a number of nonprofit groups, including Rural Community Assistance Corporation, is one such organization that’s bringing clean water systems to these struggling areas.

Residents can take a drink at these stations or fill up their bottles with perfectly safe drinking water. Each tap includes a certified filter that treats contaminated water.

While residents are relieved to finally see improvements after years of struggling, they say they’re surprised it took this long for it to happen.

“Ninety-nine percent of the population in Arvin buys bottled water,” Salvador Partida, president of the Committee for a Better Arvin, told Al Jazeera. “I’m amazed nobody was doing anything about it until now. A lot of people need to wake up.”